There’s no shame in a midday break. In fact, it turns out that taking a lunch break makes you more productive, but you have to commit to taking the time.

Here are three ways to make lunch breaks a habit, according to Xintian Tina Wang for Inc.

  1. Start small. For some employees, stepping away from work seems daunting and daring. You don’t need to take a whole hour off when you first start to take a lunch break.

“Experiment with a five-minute micro-break and step away from the computer and mindfully eat something nourishing like a piece of fruit. Do that every day for a week, note how it feels, and build from there,” Renee Cullinan, CEO of a San Francisco-based consultancy that focuses on wellness, the Dandelion Project, told Inc.

  1. Invite others. It’s easy to let lunch slip if you’re eating alone. But the second you have another party on hand, your obligation to stepping away expands. Doing so can help you cement your commitment to lunch. Think of this, too, as a time to network with colleagues or some business leaders in your area.

Letslunch is a free social network that will match you with someone in your area during weekday lunch hours. The site’s algorithm matches you with a like-minded lunch partner, based on your LinkedIn profile, availability and geographic flexibility. This is an efficient way to grow your network by using the time that’s already built into your day.

  1. Just recharge. “The ideal lunch break is the one tailored to your preferences and circumstances,” says Cullinan. You don’t need to schedule your lunch break at noon. You don’t even need to have a meal during your break time, as long as you feel recharged after the break. Start by asking yourself: When do you want to take a break and what do you want to do?

Cullinan advises employees to think about a good place to take a break. It could be in the break room, on a walk or even on a park bench — just not at your computer. Ask yourself if you prefer to bring something or get a quick bite out? Will you be more energized by social contact or a few minutes of solitude?